ST. LOUIS TIMES

DECEMBER 1, 2017 'INTO THE LIGHT'

Many people think of Rosalynn Carter as just the wife of Jimmy Carter, but she has been a tireless crusader in her own right, campaigning since long before her husband was President to help individuals with mental disorders.

“I’ve worked on mental health issues for a very long time — since before my husband was governor [of Georgia] in the early 1970’s,” Mrs. Ca rter said during a visit to St. Louis many years ago. “I became interested in this issue when I was campaigning for my husband for governor. It wasn’t too long after there had been an expose on a big central state hospital…. People were really concerned about what was going to happen to their mentally ill loved ones. Many places I went, people would ask me what my husband would do for an emotionally disturbed child or a mentally ill family member.”

One night when she was campaigning “for Jimmy” during his first run for governor four years before he won the office, she found that she was in the same town where her husband was speaking, so she went to his rally. He didn’t know she was there, so, after the speech, she stood in the line where others were waiting to shake his hand. “When I got in front of him, he said: ‘What are you doing here?’ And I said, ‘I came to see what you’re going to do about people with mental illness when you’re governor of Georgia.’ He said, ‘We’re going to have the best program in the country, and I’m going to put you in charge of it.’”

“Well, I didn’t know much about the issue then and certainly not enough to be in charge of it, but [after he did become governor] he formed a Governor’s Commission to Improve Services to the Mentally and Emotionally Handicapped, and I served as a member of that commission,” she continued. “That was the beginning of my education. At that time, no one would talk about mental illness; no one would admit that a family member was mentally ill. Mental health got what was left over after all other health issues were taken care of. The more I looked at the subject and became informed about what was going on, the more I felt it was something I really wanted to work on because people needed so much help. They had no one to speak up for them. And so I [served on] the Governor’s Commission [and] the President’s Commission, and now we have a really good program at the Carter Center.”

As a very active member of the President's Commission on Mental Health during her husband’s presidency, Mrs. Carter helped bring about passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980. In her autobiography, First Lady From Plains, she expressed, with much candor, appreciation for the way her participation was accepted: “From a historical perspective, First Ladies were expected to limit themselves to the duties of official hostess and private helpmate, and most of them never varied from the narrowly restricted role. Eleanor Roosevelt was the notable exception, and she was severely criticized for her personal involvement in public affairs. Nowadays, the public expectation is just the opposite, and there is a general presumption that the projects of a First Lady will be substantive, highly publicized, and closely scrutinized. I am thankful for the change.”

Over the years, Rosalynn Carter has often been recognized for her support of mental health causes. She was chosen Volunteer of the Decade and also received the “Into the Light” award from the National Mental Health Association. In addition, she was presented with the Dorothea Dix Award from the Mental Illness Foundation, the Nathan S. Kline Medal of Merit from the International Committee Against Mental Illness, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.

“Back then” — when she first began working on mental health issues — “we didn’t know enough about the brain to know how to treat people, and so nobody knew what to do about people with mental illnesses. We just kind of hid them away, out of sight. Today, because of the research and the knowledge that we now have of the brain, mental illnesses can be diagnosed, they can be treated, and the overwhelming majority of people with mental illnesses can lead normal lives — going to school, working, being productive citizens in the community.”

“Ninety-five percent of what we know about the brain, we’ve learned in the last few decades,” she added. “Today, we’re learning so much, so fast that we can’t keep up with it. We have new medications, new treatment methods. Sometimes people with mental illnesses have to take medicine maybe for the rest of their lives, but so do people with diabetes and people with high blood pressure. One thing that hasn’t changed [over the past three decades] is the stigma. It’s still pervasive, and it’s devastating to people with mental illnesses and keeps so many people from treatment. They don’t want to go for treatment because they don’t want to be labeled mentally ill. And that’s such a shame because we now know that mental illnesses are biological just like physical illnesses; there should be no distinction. We shouldn’t have to say this is a physical illness or this is a mental illness…. No matter who’s sick or what kind of illness you have, you should be able to get treatment without shame and without discrimination.”

She is also very concerned with the devastating effects of mental illnesses on older adults. “Although multiple forms of mental disorders can begin late in life, they are not an inevitable part of the aging process,” she states in her book, Helping Someone With Mental Illness. “Mental or emotional disorders in elderly citizens can also be caused or aggravated by physical illnesses or their treatments. Drug reactions, unrecognized endocrine problems (low thyroid function, for example), pain from osteoporosis or arthritis, and even undiagnosed hearing or visual impairment can account for about half of the elderly patients seen in mental health clinics and hospitals. Depression and anxiety disorders can also accompany cancer, insomnia, diabetes, strokes, influenza, post-surgical confusion, and Parkinson’s disease.”

In 1982, along with President Carter, Mrs. Carter helped form the Carter Center in Atlanta to “improve the quality of life for people at home and in the developing world through programs in health, democracy and development, and urban revitalization.” As a full partner in all the center's activities, Mrs. Carter is vice chair of its board of trustees. The former First Lady created and chairs its Mental Health Task Force, an advisory body of experts, consumers, and advocates promoting positive change in the mental health field. She also hosts the annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy, bringing together leaders of the nation's mental health organizations to address critical issues.

The Carter Center programs are primarily concerned with peace and health issues, the 73-year-old former First Lady noted. “Our peace programs include conflict resolution, democracy programs, and human rights programs. We monitor elections only from autocratic governments coming into democracy or for democracies that are very fragile. When we go [into another country], we work with a lot of other people. In fact, we help train local poll watchers. The Carter Center staff goes ahead of us, then Jimmy usually goes once, then and I go [back] with him for the election. We don’t do any of this unless all sides invite us in. It’s really wonderful to see people — particularly those coming from an autocratic government into a democracy — where they’ve never ever had a chance to vote before in their lives. They stand in line, and, in most of those countries, over 95 percent of the people will vote. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if 95 percent of our people voted?”

More than half the budget of the Carter Center goes into health programs. “We have a disease-eradication program, studying all the diseases that might possibly be eradicated. Only one disease has ever been eradicated in history, and that’s smallpox,” she said, adding that some are close to eradication, however. “We’re working to eradicate a horrible disease called guinea worm in many countries in Africa and Asia. When we started, there were three-and-a-half million cases; we’ve eradicated more than 98 percent of them, and the remaining ones are mostly in the Sudan where there’s a war going on. At one time, Jimmy was able to get a guinea worm ceasefire in the Sudan. They actually stopped fighting so that we could go in and find the endemic villages and train health workers in those villages.”

The center is also working to eradicate a number of other diseases, she pointed out. “Corporations have been so wonderful to us.” Many have made significant donations and even, in some cases, manufactured special products to help deal with the diseases. “We’re working with the Lions Clubs, too,” in treating eye diseases in third-world countries.

“We go into a country with [a single] health expert who trains health workers of the government. Jimmy signs a contract with the head of state, and they provide all the workers, and we train the workers so that now, since we’re working on different diseases, we have a network in these countries. We’re in 35 African countries, 65 countries in total, all in the developing world.”

“We also work with small farmers to help them increase their food production. [By making certain] they get really good seed, we can triple their food production the first year. Our work is really rewarding. We go to Africa two or three times a year, and to go back to a farmer whom we’ve shown how to plant and to have him run out to greet us and say, ‘My sons are coming home from the city because now we can grow enough food to feed the whole family’ is really a wonderful and emotional experience.”

The Carter Center is now beginning to get involved in the treatment of AIDS, she noted. “It’s a tragedy in Africa. One of our grandsons was in the Peace Corps in South Africa. Just before he left to come home, he did a survey and found that 53 percent of the babies born were HIV positive. Isn’t that tragic?” One of the medicines the center is providing prevents infected pregnant women from spreading AIDS to their unborn children, she added.

In addition to her autobiography, Mrs. Carter has written Everything To Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life, a book about life after the White House co-authored with President Carter and Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book For Caregivers. Her book Helping Someone with Mental Illness was selected as the winner of the 1999 American Society of Journalists and Authors Outstanding Book Award in the service category.

Rosalynn Carter relishes her travels and speaking engagements, and she also still enjoys fly-fishing, bird-watching, biking, and jogging in her “free time.”

Since she and President Carter were only in their fifties when he left the Presidency, they went on to new and perhaps truer forms of “public service” careers — beyond politics. Now in their nineties they remain very vital examples of active and involved older adults, and Rosalynn Carter, like her husband, seems to be appreciated and adored around the globe for her efforts to make this world a better place to live.

Reprinted from the St. Louis Times

EMPLOYMENT

PART TIME EVENING LPN OR RN

Mother of Good Counsel Home

Part time Evening Nurse - LPN or RN - needed for 26-bed unit. Evening shift is 3:00 to 11:00 p.m. Competitive wages! Also hiring CNA's, part time for day and evening shifts.

Join our elite team of healthcare professionals as a Certified Nursing Assistant or a Personal & Home Care Aide. We beat other providers’ hourly pay rates. Receive up to 80 hours of paid time off or choose to take it as additional pay. Full-time employees of Pyramid also receive 6-paid holidays annually and medical insurance for $30 per month. Starting your career with us is easy! www.pyramidhhs.com // 1-800-699-1746

HEALTH & WELLNESS

HOME HEALTH CARE – NEW ST. CHARLES LOCATION

Deer Valley Home Health

Deer Valley Home Health has a new office in St. Charles to meet all of your Home Health needs. We offer Consumer Directed Service, Personal Care, Healthy Child and Youth, Veterans Aid and Attendance, and Dept. of Mental Health Services. Deer Valley Home Health is currently accepting applications for RN's, CNA's, and Home Health Assistants.

Memory Care, what does this mean? We think it means; to enrich the lives of our community, residents, families and employees through extraordinary experiences. The Montessori Moments in Time Program is designed to capture our residents' special moments at any given time, validate them, and help them live fully in those moments. This is accomplished through the following five directional paths: Life Engagement, Dining Experience, Team Promise, Family Connections and Health & Wellness. We have based our program on Naomi Feil's Validation Theory: People who are in the late stages of life might have unresolved issues that drive behaviors and emotions. Reciprocated communication of respect which communicates that others' opinions are acknowledged, respected and heard and that they are being treated with genuine respect as legitimate expression of their feelings rather than marginalized or dismissed. This is our Memory Care.

It's Doggone Adorable! Stonecrest at Clayton View teams with the APA to bring its residents some cuddly medicine through anecdotes and research. It's well-known that pets can help people of all ages reduce stress, loneliness, depression, lower blood pressure and more. However, as a person ages, they often can no longer sufficiently care for a pet on a daily basis. As part of its “Vibrant Life” program, Stonecrest at Clayton View has recently teamed with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri (APA) to find a way that animals, specifically puppies and kittens, can be a part of the extended family at Stonecrest and enrich the lives of their residents. This past February, Uber partnered with the APA and brought a few puppies for 15 minutes of cuddles to Stonecrest at Clayton View, the newly opened residential care community located in Richmond Heights, through its #UberPuppies project. This sparked an idea with the staff at Stonecrest, as some of their employees had occasionally brought their own dogs in for a day here and there, but nothing on a regular basis. To learn more of this story, please contact us.

Do you are someone you know have Medicaid that would like to remain in the comfort of their home but need help with daily living activities? If you answered yes, then contact us now for a free consultation Healthline In-Home and CDS, 636-386-8323. This is an alternative to going to a nursing home and allows for you to stay in your home where your heart and love is.

Orthopedic Seminars at Des Peres Hospital If hip or knee pain and chronic stiffness are keeping you from doing the things you enjoy, you owe it to yourself to learn more about your surgical and non-surgical treatment options. Board-certified surgeons, nurses and therapists who specialize in orthopedic care. Join us at an upcoming seminar with an orthopedic specialist: https://www.despereshospital.com/conquer-joint-pain-seminar

While practicing general dentistry for many years, Dr. Michael Travis of Pine Lawn Dental has noticed an unfortunate trend with his clientele. Many people struggle to find transportation to and from the office, and instead choose to only call for an appointment when they have an emergency dental need. Treating these emergency situations is very costly, and could easily be avoided with annual preventative care. Recognizing a great need for this care, We Care Mobile Dental was created by Dr. Travis and is currently serving over 40 independent, assisted and skilled living facilities. We accept most major dental insurances as well as Medicaid. Please contact us at 314-246-8090 to schedule an appointment, or visit our website at www.wecaremobiledental.com and let us bring our services and teledentistry technology to your facility to provide prevention education and preventative procedures to you or your loved ones.

You are invited to participate in a weekly free wellness screening. Screenings for individuals over 55 include: blood pressure readings, weight check, blood sugar readings, as well as prayer and spiritual support by a Lutheran Senior Services Parish Nurse. Every reading is taken by a Wellness Kiosk with print outs available to take to your doctor. Don't miss this free resource today. HyltonPoint Apartments,933 Belt Ave, St. Louis, Mo 63112. Mondays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call Savanna to make an appointment 314-367-7697.

Take control of your health and take control of your life. Wellness Kiosks are specialized computers operated by our Parish Nurses. The kiosks measure blood pressure, weight and blood glucose levels. With our LSS Registered Parish Nurse on hand in the kiosk, you can stay on track with your health. This free service is now being offered at LSS Rose Hill House, Affordable Housing for seniors, every Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. located at 225 West Rose Hill Avenue in the beautiful heart of Kirkwood, MO. Call 314-822-4928 for your appointment today.

Hilltop Manor, a Lutheran Senior Services senior community is offering free wellness screenings with a Parish Nurse. Screenings include blood pressure readings, blood sugar screenings, and pulse and weight checks for all seniors 55+. A parish nurse is also available for prayer, spiritual support and resources. Many who are already taking advantage of this program are aware of the positive benefits it brings to their health. Please pass this on to any family or church members, friends or home health aides that may be interested. Call Michelle Herrick, Service Coordinator, for your appointment. Every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 636-938-6442, 11 Hilltop Village Center Drive, Eureka, MO 63025.

Saint Louis University’s Health Resource Center and the Geriatric Education Center (GEC) are offering a free comprehensive geriatric assessment clinic for people 65 years of age or older, on the first Thursday of every month at the Health Resource Center located at 1408 N. Kingshighway Blvd #213, St. Louis, MO, 63113. A comprehensive assessment is more extensive than a screening appointment. The appointment is approximately two hours in length and includes assessments by medical, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and nutrition and social work professionals. To schedule an appointment please contact the SLU Geriatrics Division Office at 314-977-8462.

LECTURES & CONT. EDUCATION

WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

December 2 – 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

December 3 – 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Jefferson Barracks Historic Site Old Ordnance Room

Join us for the final weekend of our World War I centennial exhibition. You can explore "Over Here: World War I from Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis & Missouri" from noon to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. On Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, a free curator-led tour of the exhibit will be offered beginning at 2:00 p.m. each day. Jefferson Barracks Historic Site Old Ordnance Room Museum, 546 Bagby Road, St. Louis, MO 63125

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the Dementia Capable Care team has partnered with National Task Group (NTG) on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices to bring the NTG’s New National Model Training Curriculum Dementia Capable Care of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia to St. Louis at a reduced cost for Missouri-based agencies and providers. The 2-day foundation or 3-day train-the-trainer workshops will be held on December 4, 5, and 6, 2017 at the Jewish Community Center in Creve Coeur. The cost is $125 for the 2-day and $175 for the 3-day training. Please follow this link to find more details and to register for the training. https://www.regonline.com/dementiacapableStLouis For questions regarding the training, please contact Anna Zelinske at 314-726-2606 ext.113 or azelinske@plboard.com

Are you a school teacher looking for a mainstream way to talk diversity and tolerance? Free PDF files of Randa Handler's books are available for your classroom. Teachers have shared online how they've found her books helpful, through reviews and 'lesson plans'. Even though picture books, their high word count (about 2500) targets early readers. Handler is an international journalist, publicist and publisher. In 2003, her publishing efforts launched an educational series of children’s books with Miss America 2000, Claire’s Adventures, that are still being used as ‘lesson plans’ by elementary school teachers. She has released five children’s books to instill in kids an appreciation of differences. Cubbie Blue and His Dog Dot (Book One), and What’s Up with Mike? (Book Two), a fantastical series populated with multi-ethnic characters. The Thanksgiving Dinner Platter, a fun book that explains why Thanksgiving is more than Turkey Day and introduces a similar celebration in Japan; If I Were King, is a fun animal tale about a feisty zebra trying to find her turf. One of her most popular children’s books, Boy Who Spoke to God, attempts to open dialogue about different religions with early readers using a fairy tale setting and multicultural characters.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION

December 2 – 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

December 3 – 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Jefferson Barracks Historic Site Old Ordnance Room Museum

Join us for the final weekend of our World War I centennial exhibition. You can explore "Over Here: World War I from Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis & Missouri" from noon to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. On Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, a free curator-led tour of the exhibit will be offered beginning at 2:00 p.m. each day. Jefferson Barracks Historic Site Old Ordnance Room Museum, 546 Bagby Road, St. Louis, MO 63125

It’s time again for one of St. Louis’s most time-honored holiday traditions. The 42nd annual Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour invites guests to take a historic walk through time, exploring eight featured homes decked in their holiday best. The annual event will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Soulard is the oldest surviving, active and walkable neighborhood west of the Mississippi river. It is full of beautifully restored 19th-century red brick Victorian homes and Federal-style townhouses, dating from the mid to late 1800s. During the tour, guests will travel between featured homes on a heated shuttle as local guides regale attendees with facts and stories about Soulard’s architecture, history and tight knit resident community. The Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour kicks off with festivities at the tour center (Gene Slay's Girls & Boy's Club of St. Louis, at 2524 South 11th St. at Sidney Street), including a holiday bazaar, food and music. Individual tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. Advance reservations are encouraged for a preferred tour time slot, and tickets are available for purchase at www.soulard.org

Maturity and Its Muse, in partnership with The Missouri History Museum, proudly presents The Silver Stages Series: Gateway Harmonica Club, playing your favorites: a variety of Golden Oldies, Ethnic Music, Show Tunes, Big Band with a variety of harmonicas (chromatic, bass, and chord), at The Missouri History Museum. Admission is free. Doors Open at 10:00 a.m. and performance is 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Handicapped Accessible. For additional information please contact Lynn Hamilton 314-420-1444 lynn@maturitfryanditsmuse.org

Martin Quigley Documentary and Media Archives Presentation A documentary about Martin Quigley, a St. Louis public relations icon, will be premiered at the Central St. Louis Public Library auditorium on Thursday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m. The screening of "The Whole Damn Crew: The Martin Quigley Story" is free and open to the public. The documentary was funded through a grant by the St. Louis Press Club. Following the screening, starting at 6:30 p.m., a reception will be held in the second floor Carnegie Room featuring a display of memorabilia focusing on the history of the St. Louis Press Club. Kristina Impastato, the library's subject specialist, will highlight the Media Archives' collections with a power point presentation, drawing from its nearly 100 individual collections. The reception is $20 for Press Club members and $25 for all others who wish to attend. Wine, beer, soft drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served. To attend, make reservations by Nov. 29 at www.stlpressclub.org, or call 314-449-8029 Central St. Louis Public Library is between 13th and 14th Streets/Olive and Locust

On December 14, 2017, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the St. Louis Banjo Club will provide a free evening of lively music played on "America's fun instrument- the four-string banjo". Sing along and listen to a dozen banjo players playing the songs you know. Concordia Turner is located at 6432 Gravois, St. Louis, MO 63116. For more information, call 314-842-3185 or visit our website: www.stlouisbanjoclub.org. Table seating and full cash bar with snacks. Did we mention it was free?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

December 2 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Pattonville High School

Huge Holiday Craft Fair at Pattonville High School; 2497 Creve Coeur Mill Rd, Maryland Heights on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. More than 230 crafters and vendors all in one place, meeting all your holiday shopping and decorating wishes. This annual craft fair has been supporting the PHS Band Programs for more than 30 years. Crafters return year after year due to the great success and customers love the large variety and accessibility to handcrafted items that cannot be found anywhere else. Here is what they have to say: “Job well done it was a great experience. I would rate your fair in the ranking of Lindbergh. Thanks a bunch.” Penny Price. We are happy to announce Penny Price turned from consumer into a new vendor this year. “We have been coming for eight or nine years, tons of traffic, nice, advantageous and very flexible. We thoroughly enjoy seeing our repeat customers who enjoy our special variety of handcrafted items.” Susan and Karin Oelzen. Come and spend the day shopping with us, for that special something for that special someone.

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Market Place continues through December 15. Bilingual International Assistant Services connects ​individuals and families ​with a ​licensed ​Navigator to ​determine Health Insurance eligibility options, ​(​including ACA, Gateway to Better Health, etc.​) and find the right plan for ​ their ​budgetary and healthcare needs​.​ ​ ​​Some individuals and families may qualify for financial assistance​. ​​Counseling ​is ​available in English, Bosnian, Russian, Mandarin Chinese​ and other languages upon request.​ Our licensed Navigators also are available to assist with enrollment at outreach events. Call 314-645-7800 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Mercy Hyberbarics and Wound Care has started an Outpatient Ostomy Clinic at the Studt Avenue location. The clinic offers education and support services aimed at improving the quality of life for patients who have had or are going to have ostomy surgery. The goal is to help prepare patients to adapt to life with their ostomy and return to their normal activities as soon as possible. Mercy Outpatient Ostomy Clinic is staffed by certified ostomy care nurses and nurses specially trained in the care and management of an ostomy. We provide a full range of services for patients with an ostomy, as well as fistula wound management. The clinic is located at 11700 Studt Avenue, Creve Couer, MO 63141 and is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please call 314-989-1181 to set up your appointment today.

Evelyn’s House helps ‘make every moment count’ at end of life. New BJC hospice house in Creve Coeur offers compassionate care for adults, teens, children and families. Evelyn’s House, the new BJC hospice house, located on the campus of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital in Creve Coeur, MO, is open and accepting patients. With 16 beds, the spacious 18,000-square-foot ranch style house, offers a full array of services and support for adults, children and their families. Features include: 16 private guest suites for adults, teens and children, walkout patio from every suite, Hospice-specialized care team, family gathering spaces with overnight accommodations, dedicated music and expressive therapy rooms, family kitchen and café, meditation room and gardens, kids and teen activity room, with a salon and spa. For more information call 314-996-8100 or visit bjchospice.org/evelynshouse.

Promise Home Works, a veteran-owned and VA Certified Contractor, has achieved accreditation status by Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) and was awarded the contract as the official installer for VA ramps in the St. Louis and surrounding area.

Trout Lodge is located only 90 minutes south of St. Louis, YMCA Trout Lodge is a country-style resort and conference center located on 5200 acres with a 360-acre lake. Trout Lodge has many fun & educational adults-only programs for those who like to travel and meet other lifelong learners, with something for every activity level. Whether in a group, as a couple or yourself, you will have an amazing time exploring new adventures and making new friends. Recent programs include a trip to Elephant Rocks State park, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, zip line and much more. There will also be plenty of time to kick back and relax along the banks of the lake. Rates include lodging, meals and all scheduled activities. To receive a complete list of 2017 activities, go to www.troutlodge.org, click on "Stay", click on "Adult Programs" and click on the 2017 Adult Program Guide. Or you can simply call 888-fun-ymca and ask for a booklet be mailed to you. Happy exploring.

HONORS & RECOGNITION

25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY HOSPICE CARE

Unity Hospice

Unity Hospice Celebrates 25 Years of Delivering Quality Hospice Care Unity Hospice is excited to announce its 25th anniversary of serving patients and families in the Midwest. 25 years ago, Michael Klein, now president & CEO of Unity Hospice, was a successful young lawyer who sought purpose and service in his work. He wanted to come home each night with the knowledge that he made a positive impact on the world. In November of 1992, Unity Hospice began at the now famous kitchen table of his home in Skokie, Ill. Unity Hospice’s foundation was created based on federal and state regulations, but it is the pillars of servant leadership, cultural excellence and quality service and programming that made Unity Hospice what it is today. “I want to thank our patients and families for the opportunity to serve them over the last 25 years, and to the team members that have made this dream possible,” states Klein. Today, Unity Hospice serves patients in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. For more information about hospice and palliative care, or to receive assistance on advanced care planning for your loved ones, contact Unity Hospice at 888-949-1188.

SUPPORT & COUNSELING

HELP ELIMINATE KILLINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Grace Chapel Ministries

Help restore respect for life by making a tax-deductible donation of $10 for a shirt that has a slogan " I'm Alive. Let Me Survive " These T-shirts will be distributed to seniors, children, and adults who live in " high crime " areas We believe that " As a man thinks, is the way he acts". We must change attitudes. More policemen, more laws, more jails, stronger sentences won't do it. Minds have to change. The more people are seen wearing this T-shirt, the more the slogan will become a mindset. Contact Grace Chapel Ministries at 314-995-5013.

A new kind of support group is being offered that brings one component to the table some of the others don’t; an expert in Dementia who will also help you troubleshoot challenges you are having with care and management of a loved one with the disease. For the complete list of days and times please email dementiastl@gmail.com. Have someone on your side every step of the way so your loved one can stay at home. Sponsored by Angela Haas BA, CSA, CDS, CDP Dementia Expert and Dementia Survivor

First Bank offers tips for seniors to protect themselves from elder financial abuse. Experts call elder financial abuse the “crime of the 21st century”. Seniors need to protect themselves from financial exploitation and abuse. To help seniors protect themselves, First Bank offers these tips: Don’t be threatened or intimidated. Never let yourself get rushed into a deal. Plan ahead to protect your assets and to ensure that your wishes are followed. Check references and credentials of anyone who wants to work in your home. Do not allow people working for you to have access to or information about your finances. Never give personal information to anyone who phones you. Consult with a financial advisor or attorney before signing any document you do not understand. Never pay a fee or taxes to collect “winnings”. Feel free to say “no”, after all, it is your money.

The Medical Family Therapy Program at Saint Louis University is conducting a study to see if an interactive group can help individuals improve memory and mood. Participants take part in a variety of fun activities such as music recall, art projects, historical events, life storybooks and more! The group is facilitated by a faculty member and graduate students. The participant must have a confirmed diagnosis of dementia. Participants (both the individual and caregiver) have a chance to receive up to $30 in Target gift cards throughout the study. The study runs once a week for 14 weeks at The Center for Counseling and Family Therapy (3700 Lindell Blvd. Ste 1100). To participate or simply for additional information, please contact the Primary Investigator, Max Zubatsky, at 314-977-2496 or zubatskyjm@slu.edu

Do you have a loved one with dementia? Are you looking for some activities or outings for them? Do you need a break yourself? Do you need questions answered concerning what is happening with your loved one? How about a memory cafe activity and discussion? Come Join ComForcare Home Care St. Louis and VITAS Healthcare for an engaging and relaxing activity, game, craft and music (Name that Tune and Karaoke). Sing those old songs with your loved ones or paint a picture. Each month has a different theme and activity, All the activities are customized for those with Dementia such as Alzheimer’s, Frontal Temporal etc., ranging from the early stages to late stage. Feel free to bring them along. We will also discuss any concerns with Dementia care and how to overcome them. Events held the second Wednesday each month at 2:00 p.m. at Brentmoor Retirement Community, 8600 Delmar Blvd # 1200, St. Louis, MO 63124. Free to attend, RSVP is required 314-965-6900

Join us to discuss the challenges that come with caregiving and find solutions in a supportive group setting. The third Wednesday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Bethesda Health Group, Inc., 1630 Des Peres Road Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63131. This is open to all caregivers. Caregiving can be immediate physical care or long-distance care provided to family, friend, or loved one. All caregivers have concerns and insights to share; we welcome all types. The group is presented as a free service of Bethesda Hospice Care. For more information or questions, please feel free to contact the Bethesda Bereavement Team at 314-373-7025. Leslie Schaffer, LMSW, Kelly Haner, LMSW, Bereavement Coordinator Bereavement Assistant LLSchaeffer@bethesdahealth.org or KLHaner@bethesdahealth.org.

The Alzheimer's Association St. Louis Chapter is now offering a Fronto-Temporal Dementia Support Group on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The support group will meet at the Alzheimer’s Association office located at 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132. This is a free group for caregivers of someone who has Fronto-Temporal Dementia, Pick’s Disease, Primary Progressive Aphasia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or Corticobasal Syndrome. A caregiver support group is a safe place to learn, offer and receive helpful tips, and meet others coping with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. The groups encourage caregivers to maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health, as well as optimally care for the person with dementia. Before attending, please call the facilitator to confirm the group is meeting at its usual date and time, and to check for specific directions to the meeting location. Group Facilitators: Ashley Blattel, 636-262-0163.

Are you a caregiver of a loved one with dementia and looking for a group or activity for them to engage in? The Medical Family Therapy Program at Saint Louis University is now running social groups for those with mild to moderate dementia. The purpose of the group is to help improve cognition and memory in those with dementia, while helping them engage with others in a group format. The first group will look to start in mid-May. Groups are usually 75 minutes long and are twice per week over seven weeks. They take place in Morrissey Hall at the Center for Counseling and Family Therapy. For further details or to sign up, please contact Max Zubatsky at 314-977-2496 or email at zubatskyjm@slu.edu..

IN SEARCH OF...

VETERAN VOLUNTEERS

Hope Hospice

Hope Hospice is looking for veterans willing and able to volunteer their time to salute our Veteran hospice clients around the St. Louis area. Volunteers can participate in honor ceremonies, and/or provide ongoing companionship. Contact Mary Sanders, Volunteer Coordinator for more information at 314-399-5621

November is a traditional time for recognizing the service and commitment of those who have served their country as a member of the Armed Services. Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care wants to enlist former military personnel from across the Greater St. Louis region to serve as volunteers to assist in providing care and comfort for hospice patients who are themselves Veterans. (Patients who are Veterans often find it easier to communicate with a fellow Veteran.) Medicare guidelines require all hospices to have a team of volunteers providing day-to-day administrative and/or direct patient care services in an amount that equals at least 5% of total patient care hours of all paid hospice employees and contract staff. Thank you in advance for helping us spread the word.

We are in search of caregivers on a continual basis. We are looking for caregivers who have a minimum of one year experience who can pass a background check and be willing to work 1-3 hours up to 24 hours depending on the job. 1-3 hour jobs pay $12 per hour, 4 hours or more pays $10 per hour, 24 hour jobs pay $175 to start. We highly favor those caregivers who are dependable and reliable and who are consistent to do the job. We work best with those caregivers who show us that they are committed to their job performance, and open communication is high on the list. We like caregivers to accept positions 15-20 minutes from jobs and are willing to submit photos of driver licenses and social security card by email so that we can run background checks before actually going through thehiring process. We are committed to our caregivers and work so that they may thrive. Benefits are something we value offering within the year. Please call 314-534-8434 if you are interested in filling out an application.

If you need a companion for a couple of hours a week or even everyday, I have the perfect companion for you. If you need some to run errands, clean house and cook meals for special diet, we have someone just for you. No need to look any further.

Preferred Hospice is seeking volunteers who want to make a difference in someone’s life by providing a hospice patient with a one on one friendly visit. Volunteering is a rewarding experience and gives you an opportunity to give back to someone what you may have received at some time in your own life. If this is of interest to you please contact Tracy Sweazy and I can answer any questions you have. tsweazey.stl@preferredhospice.com, 301 Sovereign Blvd Ste 206 Ballwin, Mo. 63011 636-527-9330

If you are interested in bringing the arts and community together, please contact us. Our nonprofit art outreach program is seeking not only volunteers to help in our art sessions, no art experience needed, but also individuals wishing to play a more active role in helping the program plan its activities. See our website for more information about us or call Dennis Jones anytime at jonesdennis818@yahoo.com or 314-368-4551.

Volunteers needed for the rrAD (Risk Reduction for Alzheimer's Disease) study. We are testing to see if what's good for the heart is good for the brain. If you are between the ages of 60-85 years old, have high blood pressure, and are concerned about your memory, you may be eligible. We are testing several strategies that may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals at risk for the disease when compared to usual care. There are other criteria to be eligible. Please call Adriana Martin for more information at 314-273-1355.

Can you spend an hour or two each month taking a resident or two, pushing them in a wheel chair outside to a lovely patio area to enjoy the fall weather? Can you imagine the feel of a gentle breeze, watching the leaves rustle and then fall to the ground… and the enjoyment that would bring to someone who is not able to get outside on most days? Can you reminisce about raking leaves and enjoying bonfires? If you answered yes to any of those, contact one of the Volunteer Coordinators at a Bethesda community and schedule a visit today to explore being a volunteer! Please contact Leslie Simon lgsimon@bethesdahealth.org at Bethesda Meadow www.BethesdaHealth.org, Darla Neely dfneely@bethesdahealth.org at Bethesda Dilworth, or Jan Keale jmkeale@bethesdahealth.org, at Bethesda Southgate.

The Heart of Hospice is Volunteers. We need you. Share your passion, time and talent. At Compassus Hospice Care we are dedicated to compassionate care at the end of life when families need it most. As a valuable part of the Compassus team, volunteers provide companionship, caregiver support, administrative assistance, bereavement support and more. Interviews are now being scheduled. Contact Karen Riley, Volunteer Coordinator at 314-731-4700 or email: Karen.riley@compassus.com

The food pantry plans to feed 6,500 people this month. The food pantry, located in Olivette, needs adult volunteers (18 and older), to help Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To inquire, please contact Chelsey at 314-513-1674 or cbanaskavich@jfcs-stl.org

Wentzville area - looking for part-time work? I am searching for someone to sit with an elderly resident at an assisted living community during lunch and/or dinner to encourage and assist with meals. Resident has Parkinson's and Dementia and needs assistance with meals. If interested, please contact Sue by email at sue@hcstl.com. Please let me know what days and meal times you would be available, experience working with the elderly and pay requirements. Might be perfect for a retiree or student as supplemental income.

Are you organized and good with numbers? Paying bills, balancing a checkbook, or reading mail can become challenging for many reasons. Lutheran Senior Services Volunteer Money Management is looking for volunteers age 21 and older to help older adults manage these financial tasks. Volunteer Money Management is currently available in the greater St. Louis area, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County, as well as the Illinois counties of St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe. Knowing that the bills are paid and the checkbook is balanced gives many people peace of mind. We receive many requests for Volunteer Money Management services and there is always a demand for additional, caring people to become involved. Two hours a month is needed to help an older adult in your community remain independent. This free program is an interfaith partnership between Lutheran Senior Services, Jewish Family & Children’s Services, and AgeSmart Community Resources. For details, please call Laural at